The City of Williamsport has applied for the competitive state grants for a public safety improvements project and for a new leaf collection truck for the public works department.

Melanie Shutt, city grants administrator, recently received City Council approval to file for applications on the statewide Local Share Assessment grants through the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

The first application is for the public safety improvements project and is not to exceed $1 million.

It would support the final design and engineering phase of what is being called the “Williamsport Public Safety Improvements Project.”

These would be for upgrades to an existing and secure public safety facility. The grant would assist the city in its readiness for when any anticipated construction funding may become available, she told council.

The other grant is not to exceed $500,000 and is for a new leaf collection truck for the public works department, she said.

Council authorized her to put in the applications. Councilman Eric Beiter, vice president, asked and was informed that once there is any update on the success or not of the grants the administration will get back with the council. Councilwoman Liz Miele asked Shutt when she anticipated hearing back on the grant application and Shutt said it would likely be in spring 2026. The Local Share Assessment grant is an extremely competitive grant with no local match, Mayor Derek Slaughter said.

In other city matters, council authorized a contract with Lecce Electric Inc. for its low bid of $510,298 for the traffic signal replacement project at Little League Boulevard and Hepburn Street.

Information technology coordinator Kris Black received approval for using contracted services budget money in the amount of $275-per-month for 12 months for hiring River Valley Internet service for internet.

Scott Williams, city planner and assistant director of the department of community and economic development, was authorized to repay the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grants amounting to about $3,933; $6,245 and $5,201 for projects that HUD required repayment of CDBG funding.